Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
531. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the rationale for the continuation of a review (details supplied) of the national broadband plan and the tendering process in parallel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43360/18]
View answerThe conclusion of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention procurement process and delivery of high speed broadband is a priority commitment for this Government.
On 17 October 2018, the Taoiseach requested a report from the NBP process auditor to be presented within three weeks. The terms of reference for this report specify that the process auditor is not required to consider any substantive issues relating to the bid submitted by the bidder in the NBP procurement process. The focus of that report is separate to and independent of the evaluation of the final tender received from the remaining bidder on 18 September. Accordingly, the evaluation of that final tender by the NBP Evaluation Team, which commenced in September, is continuing in parallel.
